The royal city and the works of Siloé. A Renaissance Tour.

The royal city and the works of Siloé. A Renaissance Tour.

After the conquest of Granada, the Catholic Kings decided to turn the city into a symbol of Christianity. This is why they also decided to be buried here, as their grandson Carlos V did years later.

Renaissance art glorified the Christian empire and turned Granada into the capital of the new kingdom. During this period the most important artist was Diego de Siloé and Carlos V ordered the construction of his Palace, which was erected in the Alhambra as a symbol of the new Christian kingdom. Other civil buildings of this period are the Hospital Real and the Real Chancillería. The Casa de los Tiros and the Palacio del Marqués de Caicedo stand out as examples of domestic architecture in Mannerist style.

The main examples of religious architecture are the Cathedral, built by Siloé in Renaissance style, and the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel).

Other important religious buildings are the Iglesia del Monasterio de San Jerónimo, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo in the Convento de Santa Cruz la Real (with a plateresque façade) and the façades of some Mudejar churches, including the ones of San Cecilio, San Gil and Santa Ana, San Miguel and San Ildefonso. Almost all of these churches were built by Siloé and Juan de Maeda.

The Renaissance route continues outside Granada, since the missionary effort spread all over the region. The Renaissance-style churches of Iznalloz and Montefrío were designed by Siloé, who also contributed to the church in Íllora, the Iglesia de San Gabriel in Loja and the Cathedral of Guadix, which is a precious example of Renaissance style and was built over an Almohad mosque. Siloé, along with Gaspar Cayón and Vicente Acero, took part in the construction of the Gothic Cathedral, which has one of the best Baroque choruses in Spain, created by Ruiz del Peral, and magnificent Corinthian and Ionic columns.